Not Everything Goes Unnoticed

Artist — Juan Iesari

Luckily, my perception of the ocean and nature has always been one of respect and care. Living in a maritime area, I have had to pick up trash people have left behind on the beach and in the sea.

This project, in my opinion, helps shed light on the untold crimes that occur in the world’s oceans. I was particularly blown away by the revelations in the Outlaw Ocean investigation about the use of forced labor by the Chinese fleet. It revealed for me the injustices and human rights abuses both on land and at sea that no other news organization is covering as consistently or in depth.

Many times we have heard that “everything comes through the eyes.” Street art thrives on visual stimulation. It adds texture to the typical architectural environment of cities, providing colorful images that contrast the common urban landscape of storefronts and residential facades. The art draws the immediate attention of the citizens walking the streets, stimulating their minds with the colors, the shapes and the other elements represented in the painting. It taps into human sensitivity, compelling people to stop and absorb what the painting depicts.

Because the mural is painted on the street, people can easily take photos and share these images widely on social media. For this project, social media can be a tool to raise awareness among the masses about what is happening in the ocean and the artistic journalism will leave a lasting impression among viewers.